FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Provides Food for 1,000 Families
At Second Pop-Up Food Distribution in Corona, Queens
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens hosted its second Pop-Up food distribution in Corona, Queens, a community severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pop-up food distribution was held today from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Catholic Charities Therese Cervini Early Childhood Development Center located at 35-33 104th Street, Corona, NY 11368.
The success of last week’s grab-and-go style event is proof the community is in dire need of essentials. Catholic Charities provided 1,000 families and individuals bags of food that will feed a family of three for three days. Catholic Charities also provided access to additional assistance, information, and resources, including outreach material encouraging an already undercounted neighborhood to participate and self-respond to the 2020 Census. 60 percent of the COVID-19 cases in New York City are in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been responding to the hardworking families in this primarily immigrant neighborhood by providing pop-up food pantries, access to supportive services via our call center and behavioral health services via telehealth.
In the past week, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has seen a 50 percent increase in the need for hot meals to be delivered to isolated seniors. On average, the agency distributes 5,000 meals, but as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, Catholic Charities is delivering 8,000 meals weekly. Food pantry distributions have also increased. On average, the agency distributes 83,000 meals per month within our food pantry network. Last week Catholic Charities saw a 20 percent increase across our 20 parish-based food pantries.
The Pop-Up Food Distribution is organized and funded by Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens as a direct response to our neighbors in need in both boroughs. To donate to Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens go to www.ccbq.org.
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Video and still pictures of today’s pop-up event:
Courtesy: Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens